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B:2a:p1.5 meningococcal strains likely arisen from capsular switching event still spreading in Spain

Jesús Castilla1, Julio A Vázquez, Celia Salcedo

  • 1Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A meningococcal disease outbreak in Spain involved B:2a:P1.5 strains, doubling incidence and primarily affecting young adults. This cluster highlights the continued threat of this specific bacterial strain.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Meningococcal disease outbreaks pose significant public health risks, particularly in specific geographic regions.
  • The B:2a:P1.5 strain has been previously identified in meningococcal disease clusters in northern Spain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report and analyze a recent cluster of meningococcal disease cases in Navarra, Spain.
  • To characterize the causative strain and demographic impact of the outbreak.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of reported meningococcal disease cases in Navarra during 2007.
  • Strain typing and epidemiological data collection for identified cases.

Main Results:

  • Eighteen cases of meningococcal disease were identified, associated with the B:2a:P1.5 strain.
  • The outbreak doubled the annual incidence rate to 4.3 x 10^5 in the region.
  • The case fatality rate was 11%, with 74% of cases occurring in individuals aged 10–24 years.
  • This represents the third cluster linked to this strain in northern Spain since 2001.

Conclusions:

  • The B:2a:P1.5 strain continues to cause significant meningococcal disease clusters in Spain.
  • Young adults remain a vulnerable demographic for this infection, necessitating targeted public health interventions.

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